Reading in English

Using
a Dictionary
Table of Contents
2 Lesson Objective

2 Pre-Reading

3 Reading

4 Using a Dictionary

7 Guided Practice

9 Vocabulary Review

10 More Practice

12 Assessment

13 Reading Assessment Tool

14 Self-Assessment

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 Using a Dictionary
Reading in English

Lesson Objective
In this lesson, you will learn helpful tips for using a dictionary. You will
learn all of the important parts of a dictionary entry and how to fully
understand new words. Let’s begin!

Pre-Reading
A. Warm-Up

How well do you know the order of the alphabet? Work with a partner. “The dictionary is
Which letter comes first? Who can answer more quickly? Why is it
important to know the alphabet well to use a dictionary? the only place
• A or B? • S or Z?
where success
• P or N? • M or Q? comes before work.”
• G or T? • X or J?
—Mark Twain

B. Vocabulary Preview

Match up as many words and meanings as you can.

Check this exercise again after seeing the words in context on page 3.

1. entry a) in a sequence from A to Z

2. alphabetical order b) the meaning of a word or expression

3. look up c) the word form (e.g., noun, verb, adjective)

4. definition d) how to say a word correctly

5. part of speech e) a word that means the same or similar

6. pronunciation f) for casual or familiar use only

7. synonym g) one item in a reference book

8. antonym h) a word that means the opposite

9. informal i) very old, not in use anymore

10. archaic j) to search for information

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 Using a Dictionary
Reading in English

Reading
1. Dictionaries are reference books that help you understand words.
They contain entries for all of the words and expressions in a language. Look Up
2. How well do you know the order of the alphabet? Dictionary entries The verb “look up” has two
meanings. The literal meaning
are in alphabetical order. They begin with words starting with the
for “look up” is to look toward
letter A and end in words starting with the letter Z. The word aardvark
the sky.
is one of the first words in a dictionary. The word zoo comes near the
end of a dictionary.

3. Look at the first few letters of a word you want to look up. Then open
a dictionary to find words that begin with that letter. Go back and forth
in the pages until you find the word you are looking for. Make sure it
has the exact same spelling. Many English words look very similar.

4. Some English words have more than one dictionary entry. The first As a phrasal verb, “look up”
entry has the most common definition. Dictionary entries also show means to search for an answer
using a reference source.
you the part of speech (e.g., noun, verb, or adjective). Some words have
more than one word form. Look up the most basic form of a word to
find the meaning (e.g., look up run, not running).

5. Dictionary entries tell you the spelling, meaning, and pronunciation of

a word. Some dictionary entries also tell you similar words. These are
called synonyms. Dictionaries may also show you antonyms. These
are words that mean the opposite. The word “informal” means that
this word is suitable for a situation between friends or relatives. Do not
use informal words in business. The word “archaic” means that a word
is so old that it’s not used anymore.

6. There are many types of dictionaries. Picture dictionaries are for

new and young learners. Bilingual dictionaries offer entries in two
languages. Online dictionaries are easy to use. Search “define: word” to
find the definition of a word. Online dictionaries have audio. You can
listen to the pronunciation of the word by clicking the audio button.

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 Using a Dictionary
Reading in English

Using a Dictionary
Now let’s review all of the main parts of a dictionary entry.

A. Parts of a Dictionary Entry

1. Word

About Tip

The main entry will start with the singular or There may be several entries for the same word. Each
base form of a word (e.g., apple, not apples; entry will have a slightly different meaning. Find the word
run, not ran). with the correct part of speech.

2. Part of Speech

About Tip

A dictionary entry will tell you if the word is

a noun, verb, adjective, adverb, preposition, or In a dictionary, the part of speech may be an abbreviation.
expression. Another way to say part of speech (n. = noun, adj. = adjective, v. = verb)
is “word form.”

3. Pronunciation/Audio

About Tip

Some dictionaries use the International Phonetic Alphabet

Look at the letters and symbols between the
(IPA). Online dictionaries are the best for learning
backslashes: /’ard-vark/. This is how to say
pronunciation. They allow you to play the recording of
the word. Different dictionaries use different
the word. Learn the pronunciation system used in your
pronunciation symbols.
favorite dictionary.

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 Using a Dictionary
Reading in English

Using a Dictionary cont.

A. Parts of a Dictionary Entry cont.

4. Definition

Function Tip

You may need to go through a few entries to find the

Each entry gives the meaning of the word in meaning that goes with the word you are looking for. You
simple English. may need to look up some words in the definition to
understand it.

5. Example Sentence

Function Tip

Many dictionaries include an example Practice writing example sentences for new words. This
sentence. This helps you learn the word. will help you remember the meaning of the words.

6. Synonyms & Antonyms

Function Tip

Many dictionaries include words that mean Sometimes a synonym is a more basic word to learn and
the same (synonym) or opposite (antonym). use in your speaking and writing.

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 Using a Dictionary
Reading in English

Using a Dictionary cont.

B. What Part of the Entry Is It?

Work with a partner. What part of the entry is each example?

# Example Part of Entry

Butterflies always
1 example sentence
seem happy.

2 a good feeling

3 adjective

4 sad

5 /‘h æ|pi/

6 happy

C. Write a Dictionary Entry

What is your favorite English word? Create a dictionary entry

for your favorite word. Use the following order: word, part of speech,
pronunciation, definition, example sentence, synonym/antonym
(if applicable). Share your entry with a partner (but cover up your word).
Can your partner guess your word?

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 Using a Dictionary
Reading in English

Guided Practice
A. Alphabetical Order

Read the list of reference books below.

Rewrite it in alphabetical order.

1.
• directory
2.
• dictionary
3.
• almanac
4.
• encyclopedia
• thesaurus 5.

• atlas 6.

• manual 7.

B. Definitions

Choose three words from the list above that you do not know well. Write the three words in alphabetical order in
the blanks below. Look up the definition for each word. Copy the definitions below.

# Word Definition

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 Using a Dictionary
Reading in English

Guided Practice cont.

C. Part of Speech

Look up the reference book words. What part of speech is each word?
Do any of the words have an entry with a different part of speech?
Discuss your findings with a partner.

D. Pronunciation

Choose one word from the reference book list that is difficult for you to
pronounce. Look up the pronunciation of this word in three different
dictionaries. Copy the information about the pronunciation of this word.

Word:

# Dictionary Name Pronunciation

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 Using a Dictionary
Reading in English

Vocabulary Review

A. Complete the Sentences

Complete the sentences using vocabulary from page 2.

1. Dictionaries are organized in .

2. A word that means the same or similar is a .

3. The verb form of is define.

4. A word that has the opposite meaning is an .

5. You can the definition of a word in a dictionary.

B. Matching

Match the vocabulary to the tip.

1. archaic a) A word is sometimes a noun and a verb.

2. part of speech b) This word is really old. It’s not in regular use anymore.

c) Don’t use this word in a business setting.

3. entry
d) A dictionary may have more than one for the same word.
4. look up
e) Notice the spelling of a word and then try to find the word in
5. informal a dictionary.

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 Using a Dictionary
Reading in English

More Practice

A. Reading Difficult Words

Read the text. Circle the words that are difficult for you. Then look up these
words in a dictionary.

Pronunciation

Most dictionary entries include pronunciation information. The

information about pronouncing the word is found between two virgules: Reminder
\’ard-vark\. Pronunciation information includes the sound the letters make, If there is more than one entry
the number of syllables, and the placement of syllable stress. The letters for a word in a dictionary, look
and symbols are usually written in italics. The primary stress for a word is at the part of speech.
a mark that looks like an apostrophe. This mark is placed before a stressed
syllable. Hyphens are used to separate syllables. Most online dictionaries
allow you to listen to the pronunciation of a word. Click on the audio icon
and listen a few times.

B. Copying a Dictionary Entry

Choose one circled word from above and copy the entry from your dictionary.

Word:

Part of Speech:

Definition:

Pronunciation & Syllables:

Synonym/Antonym (if applicable):

Example Sentence:

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 Using a Dictionary
Reading in English

More Practice cont.

C. Using Multiple Dictionaries

Now choose another difficult word from the reading in Part A. Look up this
word in three different dictionaries. Copy the entries. Then work with a
partner. What is different about each entry?

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 Using a Dictionary
Reading in English

Assessment
Read the information. Use a dictionary that your teacher recommends.
Answer the questions for your teacher.

A. Reading B. Comprehension

Parts of Speech 1. What part of speech is the

word “object”?
In English, the main parts of speech are: nouns, verbs, articles, adjectives,
2. What is the meaning of the
adverbs, prepositions, and conjunctions.
word “imperative”?

Nouns are people, places, or things. Pronouns (I, you, she, he, it, we, they, 3. How many syllables are in the
me, him, mine, yours, etc.) are words that can replace nouns. Nouns word “quantifier”?
and pronouns can be subjects of a sentence, objects of a sentence, or
4. How many meanings are
objects of a preposition.
there for the word “article” in
your dictionary?
Verbs are the action or state of being in a sentence. Most verbs are action
verbs that have one or more parts (run, is running, has been running, etc.). 5. What synonym does
The most common state of being (no action) verb is be. Verbs usually your dictionary give for the
follow a subject and can be followed by an object. With imperative verbs, word “indicate”?
the subject “you” is dropped.
6. What does the word
“quantifier” mean?
Articles are little words that give information about a noun. They come
before a noun and usually show how many of a noun there are. Common
articles are a, an, the. Other similar words are determiners such as a
number (one, two) or a quantifier (many, a few).

Adjectives are words that describe nouns. Adjectives give information

about the noun’s color, shape, size, etc. They have two common patterns in
English: before a noun or after the “Be” verb.

Adverbs are words that can describe verbs, adjectives, other adverbs, or
even the whole sentence. Adverbs often end in -ly.

Prepositions are little words that indicate direction, time, place, etc. They
are followed by a noun.

Conjunctions are short words that join two sentences or two similar parts
of speech.

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 Using a Dictionary
Reading in English

Reading Assessment Tool

Name:

Score /
Description of Task Skills Date Completed Level
Success

Using dictionaries Reading, Writing

Success

 Assessment Criteria Yes Almost Not Yet

looks up words in a dictionary

finds part of speech in a dictionary entry

understands basic pronunciation symbols

finds the meaning of words in context using a dictionary

identifies synonyms and antonyms in a dictionary entry

reads example sentences to understand word meanings

Notes

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 Using a Dictionary
Reading in English

Self-Assessment
USING A DICTIONARY

Add check marks () to show what you've learned in this lesson.

Name: Date:

Yes (very well) Yes (with help) Not yet

Can I...

quickly find an entry in a dictionary using

alphabetical order?

find and copy the part of speech of a word in a

dictionary entry?

find and copy the pronunciation of a word in a

dictionary entry?

find and learn from an example sentence in a

dictionary entry?

find and copy synonyms and antonyms in a

dictionary entry?

My Notes

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